In the News

Dutch representative receives ROC award

• Publication Date：07/29/2010
• Source： United Daily News

Menno Goedhart, the Netherlands representative to Taiwan, was awarded the ROC’s Order of the Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon in recognition of his contributions to strengthening bilateral ties July 28.

“Representative Goedhart is Taiwan’s ambassador in perpetuity,” Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Yang said while bestowing the medal upon him. “He will become Taiwan’s honorary tourism ambassador and work tirelessly to promote the country in Europe.”

More than 20 Rukai aborigines from Pingtung County’s Wutai Township attended the ceremony in Taipei, whom Goedhart referred to as his “family and friends.”

Using the occasion to draw attention to the plight of Wutai’s aboriginal villages, which were devastated by Typhoon Morakot last year, Goedhart said he was concerned by the effect of recent torrential rain on these settlements.

“A number of my family members in Wutai could not be here because the bridge they had to cross collapsed,” he said. “We hope repairs can be effected quickly so they once again travel without hindrance.”

The representative also urged the government not to forget Morakot’s aboriginal victims after they moved into their new homes. “Much more work is needed to make these new houses real homes and respecting cultural needs is part of this process.”

During his eight years in office, Goedhart has developed passion for Taiwan’s aboriginal cultures and local Dutch history dating back to the 17th century. He has also worked hard to cultivate relationships with the Rukai and Tsou peoples.

The Dutch de facto ambassador’s new guidebook, “The Real Taiwan and the Dutch—Traveling Notes from the Netherlands Representative,” includes information on areas that have strong aboriginal influences. Goedhart plans to donate all proceeds from the book to victims of Morakot.

Set to retire next month, Goedhart and his wife Ingrid will settle in Tainan City. “Establishing a research center on 17th-century history in collaboration with locally-based National Cheng Kung University is at the top of my to-do list,” he said. (PCT-JSM)